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Best Railroad Experiences Around Boston

June 28, 2013 6:00 AM

“Rocky Mountain Express” IMAX Film (Photo from MOS)

Whether you are a fan of real trains or model trains, Boston has some of the best railroad experiences for you and your family to enjoy. Plan a day and revel in the deep history the Boston area has to offer: an old-time railroad turned amusement park, a rail station with entertainment, a train ride through scenic Cape Cod, an immersion locomotive film and a trip through a model train museum. Get on board and enjoy the ride.

‘A Day Out with Thomas’ at Edaville Railroad. (File photo courtesy: Edaville Railroad-Facebook)

Edaville Railroad is an amusement park centered around historic railroad equipment that was shipped down from Maine. Originally, the railway in Carver ran over five miles around cranberry bogs. Today, Edaville offers families a chance to partake in the history while having fun with a variety of attractions, such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Curious George, Hello Kitty and the Bernstein Bears. Other rides and activities include the ferris wheel, flying turtles, a playground, tilt-a-whirl and the carousel. Grab a bite to eat at the many food locales such as KC’s Cafe, Whistle Stop Snacks, Raspberry Mousse Caboose, The Choo Choo Barbecue or snag an adult drink at Cisco Brewers. Never fear, the Edaville train still runs and your whole family can enjoy a two-mile ride around the grounds.

Gather up your loved ones and ride the Family Supper Train on board the Cape Cod Central Railroad. Enjoy the scenery of the Cape without the distractions of daily life at home. The Family Supper Train is renowned for its family friendliness. Your children will have fun with music, entertainment and face painting. Sit back and enjoy everything from chicken to salmon to fruit, macaroni and cheese, vegetables and dessert. Other railroad rides include the Hobo Express, Brunch Train and Narrated Scenic Train Ride. Making reservations well in advance is highly recommended.

Kick back with your family and take in a show about the “Rocky Mountain Express.” The 50-minute show is an IMAX film about the age of the steam locomotive, produced by an award-winning filmmaker. Learn the stories about the Canadian Pacific Railway as you are immersed in beautiful landscapes. The Mugar Omni Theater showcases the IMAX Dome screen in which the “Rocky Mountain Express” is projected onto a five-story-tall area. Get lost in the river canyons and mountain passes with a state-of-the-art sound system.

South Station is drenched in rich history dating back to the late 1800s. When the station was built, it was the largest rail station around. Today, South Station is still an active railroad station but it is much more than that. Tours are available to learn about the history, as well as the architectural design of the station. The Great Room, situated in the middle of the station, hosts a variety of entertainment, from musicians to artists, as well as local talent. The Great Room has special events around the holidays and a celebration of National Train Day. South Station also features an array of retail stores and eateries.

Experience the Bennett E. Merry Train Gallery at the Wenham Museum with 10 operating models. Check out railroad memorabilia and artifacts as you spend time with your family. Look at the large-scale models and antique trains while chatting with railroad experts. Feel free to question the experts about the train display or scenery. Children and adults alike will love the Lego Train display.